Stephen Kelly
Senior Associate of Government Affairs
Stephen Kelly is a Senior Associate of Government Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Stephen is an Adams County native. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Economics.
After graduating, Stephen returned home to Pennsylvania. Before joining the Commonwealth Foundation, he was a Polling Assistant for the 2022 Midterm Elections at Cygnal, a polling and survey research firm serving center-right and conservative campaigns, political action committees, and independent expenditures.
Outside of work and following politics, Stephen enjoys learning about history, playing rugby, and rooting for all the Philadelphia sports teams.
Regulation
Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region
The Brookings Institution released a study on manufacturing jobs lost in the Great Lakes region. The numbers and findings are interesting: many of the nation’s manufacturing jobs “lost” were…
Media
Read More: Manufacturing Job Loss in the Great Lakes Region
Ed Rendell takes credit for everything
Tony Phyrillas latest editorial. Topics on this page Ed RendellTony A. Phyrillas…
Media
Read More: Ed Rendell takes credit for everythingState Budget
Budgeting in Neverland
Policy Analysis from the Cato Institute on how Congress overspends because they only hear from the spending lobby, not taxpayers, during the budget process. The same can be said…
Media
Read More: Budgeting in Neverland
Tax Cuts Lead to Economic Growth
The US Treasury Department released an analysis yesterday finding what we already knew – tax cuts spur economic growth. The Wall Street Journal summarizes this report. It also finds…
Media
Read More: Tax Cuts Lead to Economic GrowthTaxes & Economy
More Vinsanity
A press release from Senator Vince Fumo’s office dismisses any notion that Pennsylvania business taxes are too high, citing select data showing Pennsylvania has merely a mediocre economic record…
Media
Read More: More VinsanityRegulation
Pay raise still helps Stetler
The York Daily Record highlights how Rep. Steve Stetler from York will garner $2,000 more per year in pension payouts because he kept more than $9K in “unvouchered expenses”–unconstitutionally…
Media
Read More: Pay raise still helps StetlerTaxes & Economy
Dukakis on Minimum Wage and Immigration
Editorial by Michael Dukakis in today’s New York Times. Dukakis claims that if we raise the minimum wage to $8 hour, businesses will stop hiring illegal immigrants. Essentially…
Media
Read More: Dukakis on Minimum Wage and ImmigrationTaxes & Economy
Tax Cuts are Good for Everyone
And (almost) everyone understands that, from today’s Wall Street Journal. Topics on this page The Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Tax Cuts are Good for EveryoneRegulation
Pension system ‘a perfect storm’
More on the coming pension crisis in the York Daily Record. Side note: Democratic Rep. Steve Stetler–who is retiring in September to become the new Executive Director of the…
Media
Read More: Pension system ‘a perfect storm’
PNC Park Threatens To Leave Pittsburgh Unless Better Team Is Built
PITTSBURGH—After five years of serving Pittsburgh as their state-of-the-artsporting facility, PNC Park, the home of the rundown, poorly maintained Pirates,said Tuesday it is threatening to leave Pittsburgh unless…
Media
Read More: PNC Park Threatens To Leave Pittsburgh Unless Better Team Is BuiltTaxes & Economy
PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?
A report released today by The Tax Foundation looks at legislation expected to be voted on by the US House tomorrow on business taxes. This bill (HR 1956) would…
Media
Read More: PA Businesses to See Tax Cuts?Regulation
Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensions
More on lawmaker’s pensions and the coming crisis in the York Daily Record. Topics on this page York Daily Record…
Media
Read More: Sweet, sour of lawmaker pensionsTaxes & Economy
Politicians are failing to tax and spend state to prosperity : The Morning Call Online
Read Matthew Brouillette’s latest commentary in today’s Allentown Morning Call.
Media
Read More: Politicians are failing to tax and spend state to prosperity : The Morning Call OnlineTaxes & Economy
Businesses are becoming “sick of Pennsylvania”
Article in The Republican & Herald on the tax climate in PA. Topics on this page Pennsylvania…
Media
Read More: Businesses are becoming “sick of Pennsylvania”Taxes & Economy
Friedman(s) talk current issues
Wall Street Journal intervew with Milton and Rose Friedman coverring illegal immigration, Iraq, and government spending. Topics on this page IraqThe Wall Street Journal…
Media
Read More: Friedman(s) talk current issuesRegulation
Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this year
Chambersburg Public Opinion on retiring lawmakers’ pensions and the need to fix the pension system. Topics on this page HarrisburgPublic Opinion…
Media
Read More: Harrisburg pensions: 50 lawmakers leaving seats this yearRegulation
21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay Raise
Rock the Capital reports that Rep. Steven Stetler, who announced this week he would be retiring from office in September, will receive a pension increase of over $2,000/year from…
Media
Read More: 21st Retiring Rep to Profit from Repealed Pay RaiseRegulation
More money spent on gambling; still none received
Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review with more about the tranfer of funds to run the Gaming Control Board. Apparently, Gov. Rendell and budget Sec. Michael Masch plan to…
Media
Read More: More money spent on gambling; still none receivedHealth Care
Judge overturns Wal-Mart law
AP Story on the overturning of Maryland’s “Wal-Mart” Health Care law. This law would have required all businesses with 10,000 or more workers to spend at least 8% of…
Media
Read More: Judge overturns Wal-Mart lawGovernment Accountability
Database to Monitor Spending?
US Senators Tom Coburn and Jeff Flake have proposed a database tracking all recipients of federal grants (see Cato Institute analysis). Like many of you, I would enjoy easy…
Media
Read More: Database to Monitor Spending?Government Accountability
Is it 1994 all over again?
Former Congressman George Nethercutt in today’s Wall Street Journal on the fall election. He essentially argues that the party that does better is the party that offers the most…
Media
Read More: Is it 1994 all over again?